Jim Freeman, the previous engineering head of Amazon Video, returned to the corporate earlier this yr, simply six months after leaving for German on-line retailer Zalando.

Freeman got here again to the corporate for household causes and is presently a part of the Alexa group, based on folks aware of the matter. Freeman’s LinkedIn page says he rejoined Amazon in March 2017 to work on a “new initiative.”

Freeman is now accountable for Alexa communications service, which covers video calling, calling and messaging options, an individual aware of the matter stated.

Freeman, a longtime Amazon Video govt, principally labored on the engineering aspect, though he was chargeable for your entire video group earlier than his sudden departure final yr. Roy Value, former head of Amazon Studios, used to report back to Freeman, as did Jay Marine, vp of Prime Video Europe, The Information reported final yr.

Freeman’s addition to Alexa underscores Amazon’s give attention to incorporating video with its broadly in style voice-assistant expertise. This yr Amazon has launched two new video gadgets beneath the Echo line (Echo Present and Echo Look) and new providers, comparable to Alexa for Enterprise and Amazon Chime, which allow video conferencing via its Alexa voice assistant.

Whereas it is unclear precisely what new initiative Freeman is engaged on, he is increasing his group. Freeman’s LinkedIn web page says he is hiring in Seattle, Chennai, Toronto, Gdansk, Ottawa, and Phoenix.